Minutes of Meeting of the Gaelic Committee held in the Main Meeting Room, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Teangue, Isle of Skye on Thursday 5 June 2008 at 2.00 pm
Present:
Mr H Fraser, Mr G Farlow, Dr A Sinclair, Ms M Smith, Mrs M E Paterson, Mr C Fraser, Mr E Hunter, Mr H Wood, Mr J Finnie, Mr F Parr, Mr K MacLeod, Mr J Holden, Mr R Pedersen, Mr D Cameron, Dr M E M Foxley
Officials in attendance:
Mr H Fraser, Director of Education, Culture and Sport
Mr D MacDonald, Head of Education Services, Education, Culture and Sport
Ms J Menabney, Principal Cultural Officer, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr D MacNeill, Gaelic Development Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr A Campbell, Acting Gaelic Development Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr L Young, Senior Education Officer, Education, Culture and Sport
Ms M A MacLeod, Gaelic Development Officer, Chief Executive’s Office
Mr J Allison, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Miss M Murray, Administrative Assistant, Chief Executive’s Office
Representatives of Gaelic Cultural or Development Organisations:-
Mr K Murray, Chief Executive, Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Also in attendance:-
Mr C Young, Director, Young Films
Mr H Fraser in the Chair
An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council. All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to the Committee.
Business
Prior to the commencement of business, the Chairman welcomed Mr C Young, Director of Young Films, who gave a presentation on a Gaelic film making project involving pupils from Plockton and Portree High Schools and Sleat Primary School. The pilot project, run by An Sgàilean Ùr (The New Screen), had been set up to encourage school pupils to make short films and learn skills associated with film making. The project was funded by the Gaelic Media Service, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and The Highland Council and Mr Young thanked the Council for its contribution.
Pupils from Sleat Primary School presented their film, Bob am Bòcan (Bob the Ghost), which had been shown at the Celtic Media Festival in Galway. This film, and others made by Plockton and Portree High Schools, would be shown on the BBC at a future date. All involved had enjoyed the experience of film making and now appreciated the career opportunities available.
The Chairman thanked Mr Young for his presentation and the pupils for their excellent film.
The Committee NOTED the presentation.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr J McGillivray, Mrs I Campbell, Mrs J Urquhart, Mr A M Millar, Mr A Graham, Mr J MacDonald, Mr R Balfour, Mr A S Park and Ms J Douglas.
2. Revenue Budget Monitoring – 1 April to 30 April 2008
There was circulated Report No G-08-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport setting out the revenue budget monitoring position for the period 1 April to 30 April 2008 and the projected year end position. There were no projected variances at this early stage in the financial year, however, it was likely that there would be savings arising from the delay in recruitment to posts within the Gaelic Development team.
In discussion, Members sought further information on the following:-
- how the Scottish Government capital funding of £150,000, which was earmarked for infrastructure developments at Inverness Royal Academy, would be utilised;
- expenditure on bi-lingual signage and local Gaelic action groups;
- the subjects taught in Gaelic medium at Inverness Royal Academy;
- the lack of bi-lingual signage on the A9 between Inverness and the Tore roundabout.
The Committee NOTED the report and monitoring statements which showed the revenue budget monitoring position for the period 1 April to 30 April 2008; and
AGREED that:-
i. future reports would contain additional information on the topics raised by
Members;
ii. the Trunk Roads Authority be asked to explain why bilingual signs had not
been installed on the A9 between Inverness and the Tore roundabout as
part of their programme of sign replacement; and
iii. information on the subjects taught in Gaelic medium at Inverness Royal
Academy be provided to Mr R Pedersen.
3. Gaelic Language Plan and Bòrd na Gàidhlig
There was circulated Report No G-09-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport detailing the discussions with Bòrd na Gàidhlig on the Highland Council’s Gaelic Language Plan. The report advised that the Bòrd response to the Plan was generally favourable, although there were a number of “recommended” and “required” amendments relating primarily to the core commitments, the National Plan and the Education Strategy. “Recommended” amendments were at the discretion of the Council whereas “required” amendments had to be addressed. Through discussion between Bòrd and Council staff, agreement had been reached on the issues raised.
Mr K Murray, Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, congratulated the Council on the production of its Plan, the first in Scotland to receive approval, and highlighted the importance of close collaboration between the Bòrd and the Council. The emphasis was now on delivering the Plan and funding and other means of support were available. Bòrd na Gàidhlig was working closely with the Scottish Government to ensure that the aims of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act were being met.
The Chairman thanked Mr Murray, highlighting that there was a great deal to be done in the months and years ahead and reiterating the importance of close collaboration between the Council and Bòrd na Gàidhlig. He also thanked Mr A Campbell, Acting Gaelic Development Manager, for his contribution. It was Mr Campbell’s final Gaelic Committee and he wished him well for the future.
In discussion, Members referred to the considerable public interest in the compilation of the Plan and stressed the importance of continuing to communicate with the public, perhaps by holding public meetings, to maintain that level of interest and to ensure that the Plan was meeting their needs and expectations.
The Committee:-
i. NOTED the amendments made to the Plan following formal discussions with
Bòrd na Gàidhlig; and
ii. AGREED to involve the public in the process of implementing and updating
the Plan.
4. Highland Council Gaelic Language Plan Implementation
There was circulated Report No G-10-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport explaining the process by which the Highland Council Gaelic Language Plan (HCGLP) 2007-2011 would be progressed. The report advised that a detailed implementation strategy was being prepared and costed for each of the three years of the Plan to identify: the specific annual targets for each Service; the Council officer with lead responsibility for delivery; and how activity would be funded. A Gaelic Language Act Implementation Fund (GLAIF) application would be made to Bòrd na Gàidhlig and budget estimates would be prepared for financial years 2009/10 and 2010/11 to be submitted to the Council’s budget review process. Implementation of the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan would contribute significantly to the Programme for Administration. It was intended that further details on the implementation of the Plan would be submitted to the Gaelic Committee in the autumn.
In discussion, Members referred to events in Highland, such as the mountain bike world cup which would be held in Fort William in June. Some events were substantially funded by the Council and the importance of encouraging event organisers to use Gaelic was stressed.
The Committee NOTED progress with the implementation strategy for the Gaelic Language Plan; and
AGREED that:-
i. a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee setting out
more detailed proposals for the implementation of the Plan, both in terms of
the Council’s activities and the wider public interest; and
ii. steps be taken to encourage event organisers to use bilingual signage.
5. Consultation on Gaelic Medium Education Provision in the Greater
Fort William Area
The Education, Culture and Sport Committee, at its meeting on 22 May 2008, agreed to remit to the Gaelic Committee to prepare the terms of a draft consultation paper on the future of Gaelic medium education in Lochaber. In that regard, there was circulated Report No G-11-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport providing details on the current arrangements for Gaelic medium education provision for pupils living in the greater Fort William area. The report outlined possible options for the development of a dedicated Gaelic school and advised that the Council had agreed, in its Gaelic Language Plan 2007-2011 and Programme for Administration, to progress the development of all Gaelic medium education primary schools by reacting positively when opportunities arose, aiming to establish two schools in the lifetime of the plan.
In discussion, the following points were made:-
- support was expressed for a Gaelic medium primary school in the greater Fort William area;
- the Council could learn from the experience of Ireland where, as a result of the success of promoting Gaelic medium education, there was now pressure on school accommodation;
- interest in Gaelic medium education continued to increase and the importance of allowing for expansion was stressed;
- the timetable outlined in the report should be adhered to;
the consultation paper should include information about the benefits of bilingualism;
- a dedicated Gaelic school should be a focus for Gaelic within the community and host activities such as fèisean, Gaelic evening classes and conferences;
- parent groups in Lochaber and Skye should liaise and draw on the experience of Inverness where Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis, the Council’s first purpose-built all Gaelic school, was located;
- the consultation paper should clearly define what was meant by “campus arrangement”;
- option d) - re-zoning an existing primary school as a dedicated Gaelic school - should not be included in the consultation paper;
- it was suggested that option a) be amended to read “Adaptation of an existing building.”;
- concern was expressed at the limited Gaelic medium education provision in secondary schools;
- Remote technology could be utilised to allow secondary school teachers in other areas to instruct pupils in Highland schools;
- “new site” was a preferable term to “green field site” and it was suggested that option b) be amended accordingly.
In response to questions, Members were advised that:-
- potential existing buildings, a new site and a campus site had been identified but comparative costs were not available at this early stage;
- while the Education, Culture and Sport Committee made recommendations to the Council on alterations to school provision, Members of the Gaelic Committee would be kept informed throughout the consultation process;
- once the consultation had been carried out and a decision made, discussions would be entered into with Members and the community about the level of facility that would be required on site and any additional requirements such as wraparound care for 0 to 4 year olds or a Gaelic centre for adults.
The Committee AGREED to recommend to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee that:-
i. the following options be included in the consultation paper:-
- The status quo;
- Adaptation of an existing building for a dedicated Gaelic primary school;
- A free-standing dedicated Gaelic primary school on a new site;
- A free-standing dedicated Gaelic primary school in a campus arrangement with a new primary school for Fort William as part of the review of education provision within the town;
ii. the consultation paper include information about the benefits of bilingualism,
both to future learning ability and career prospects; and
iii. a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee on the
implementation of the provision in the Gaelic Language Plan that a minimum
of five subjects be taught in Gaelic in secondary schools.
6. Consultation on Gaelic Medium Education Provision in Portree and
North Skye
The Education, Culture and Sport Committee, at its meeting on 22 May 2008, agreed to remit to the Gaelic Committee to prepare the terms of a draft consultation paper on the future of Gaelic medium education in Skye. In that regard, there was circulated Report No G-12-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport providing details on the current arrangements for Gaelic medium education provision for pupils living in Portree and North Skye. The report outlined possible options for the development of a dedicated Gaelic school and advised that the Council had agreed, in its Gaelic Language Plan 2007-2011 and Programme for Administration, to progress the development of all Gaelic medium education primary schools.
The Head of Education Services referred to correspondence received since the report was written from parents in Skye indicating that Comann nam Pàrant Portree considered that the Council should only carry out a consultation on the demand for a Gaelic medium education primary school in Portree as parents in the north of Skye had not been calling for a Gaelic school.
In discussion, the following points were made:-
- all parents in the consultation area should be consulted as there may be parents who did not send their children to Gaelic medium provision at present who might consider enrolling their children in a dedicated Gaelic school;
- a separate consultation should be carried out on the provision of secondary Gaelic medium education in Skye;
- the consultation should be focused on Portee at present;
- the consultation paper should include a reassurance that the integrity of Gaelic medium provision in Staffin and Kilmuir would be maintained;
- it was suggested that option a) be amended to read “Adaptation of an existing building.”;
- “new site” was a preferable term to “green field site” and it was suggested that option b) be amended accordingly.
The Committee AGREED to recommend to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee that:-
i. the following options be included in the consultation paper:-
- The status quo;
- Adaptation of an existing building for a dedicated Gaelic primary school;
- A free-standing dedicated Gaelic primary school on a new site; and
ii. the consultation paper include a reassurance that existing Gaelic medium
education in North Skye would be retained.
7. Council Staff Gaelic Audit
There was circulated Report No G-13-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport providing an update on progress with the Council Staff Gaelic Language Skills Audit which was required as part of the implementation of the Highland Council’s Gaelic Language Plan (HCGLP). The report advised that it was anticipated that questionnaires would be issued to Council staff as soon as possible after the tendering process for the audit had been completed.
The Gaelic Development Manager advised that the contractors were required to produce a report on the outcome of the audit by September 2008 and a further report would be submitted to Committee in November 2008, not September as stated in the report.
The Committee NOTED the progress with the Council Staff Gaelic Language Skills Audit.
8. Partnership Working with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Fàs
There was circulated Report No G-14-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport advising that the Gaelic Language Plan identified a commitment to developing improved collaboration between the Highland Council and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic College in Sleat. The intention was to develop a range of initiatives to support the learning and teaching process for pupils, and to continue professional development for teaching and support staff in schools, other staff within the Education, Culture and Sport Service and staff in other Council Services who wished to learn Gaelic. The report provided information on the initial discussions which had taken place and advised that a further report would be submitted to Committee in due course.
In discussion, Members expressed concern that some secondary school teachers who had Gaelic as a language were not teaching in Gaelic medium. It was highlighted that some fluent Gaelic speakers were not proficient at writing in Gaelic.
The Committee:-
i. NOTED the current areas that had been identified for closer collaborative
working between the Council and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig;
ii. APPROVED the proposals in the report;
iii. AGREED that further reports be submitted to the Committee in due
course when the proposals had been further discussed and developed; and
iv. AGREED that action be taken to identify why existing secondary school
teachers with Gaelic did not complete the available courses to allow them
to teach in Gaelic.
The Chairman thanked Sabhal Mòr Ostaig for their hospitality and for the tour of their excellent facilities.
The meeting concluded at 4.40 pm.